Patents by Inventor Shawn R. Oltz

Shawn R. Oltz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Combined temperature sensor for clothes dryer
    Patent number: 7444762
    Abstract: A clothes dryer has a system for regulating the inlet air temperature. The system includes a first sensor located in an inlet of the dryer and including a thermistor and a thermostat, a heat source located in a heater box adjacent the first sensor, and a second sensor located in an exhaust of the dryer. The thermistor measures the inlet air temperature of the dryer and cooperates with the controller to prevent the thermostat from reaching its trip temperature and turning off the heat source. Thus, damage due to excessive air temperatures in the dryer is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Reck, Shawn R. Oltz, Steven D. Ficke, Michele A. Paustian, Christopher J. Woerdehoff, Joshua P. Carroll, Mark E. Glotzbach, James P. Carow
  • Condition sensor for a dryer
    Patent number: 6784673
    Abstract: A condition sensor for a fabric treating apparatus, such as a clothes dryer. A condition sensor is connected to a base wherein the condition sensor is operative to sense a condition such as moisture content for a multi-layered load placed within the dryer. The condition sensor comprises at least one support connected to the base wherein the at least one support has at least one extension attached thereto. A pair of capacitance sensors are attached to the at least one extension with the pair of capacitance sensors being arranged to build up charge through the condition sensor based on the moisture of the load content positioned in the dryer. A circuit is arranged to receive, read and generate signals in response to the charge of the capacitance sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald Mark Tomasi, Thomas R. Olson, Shawn R. Oltz, James I. Czech
  • Condition sensor for a dryer
    Publication number: 20040051540
    Abstract: A condition sensor for a fabric treating apparatus, such as a clothes dryer. A condition sensor is connected to a base wherein the condition sensor is operative to sense a condition such as moisture content for a multi-layered load placed within the dryer. The condition sensor comprises at least one support connected to the base wherein the at least one support has at least one extension attached thereto. A pair of capacitance sensors are attached to the at least one extension with the pair of capacitance sensors being arranged to build up charge through the condition sensor based on the moisture of the load content positioned in the dryer. A circuit is arranged to receive, read and generate signals in response to the charge of the capacitance sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Mark Tomasi, Thomas R. Olson, Shawn R. Oltz, James I. Czech